Titans forward Dave Taylor back on the right track

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REMORSEFUL Titans forward Dave Taylor has revealed his club-imposed suspension was the wake-up call he needed as he struggles to deal with the professionalism needed to be an NRL player.

Banned for two weeks for disciplinary reasons, Taylor said pre-season injuries rocked his focus and sent him on a downward spiral.

The former Test and Queensland backrower, who played his best game for the Titans in yesterday's 25-24 loss to the Warriors in New Zealand, said the game was evolving at a lightning rate.

"It was quite tough but it was a good shock. It's definitely turned me around and made me see the game a lot better," he said.

"The professionalism around the club and making sure I'm up to scratch with everything (is what I need to work on).

"This day and age you can't let your guard down for two seconds.

"You've got to be professional every single second. It was a good learning curve for myself.

"It (being an NRL player) definitely does get tougher. It gets more professional every year."

Taylor wouldn't comment on what caused Titans coach John Cartwright to send his $400,000-a-season recruit to reserve grade for a fortnight.

But the former Bronco and Rabbitoh said his move to the Gold Coast wasn't the precursor for his suspension, insisting foot injuries altered his focus.

"It hasn't been a distraction. It was a good change," he said.

"I've found myself really relaxed and have had a lot of energy with training.

"A couple of injuries knocked me around a bit and mentally got the better of me. I seemed to get it right and it'd go again. It was frustrating and annoying.

"I don't do too well being trapped inside with injuries. I get stressed out a lot. Coming off that and being injury-free now I'm feeling really focused and ready to rip in every week."

Meanwhile, Cartwright will consult the NRL rule book in a bid to try and understand how a controversial try was allowed in the Titans' loss.

Cartwright was left fuming after video referees Henry Perenara and Luke Patten awarded a try to Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson in the 52nd minute when he clearly knocked the ball forward deliberately to gain an advantage.

Johnson and Titans centre Steve Michaels jumped to contest the bouncing ball and the New Zealand playmaker batted the ball over his opposite's head, regained it and scored a crucial try as the Warriors held out the fast-finishing Titans.

Patten and Perenara, both former NRL players, hit the green light despite rule 1 of section 10 of the laws of the game stating: "A player shall be penalised if he deliberately knocks on."

Cartwright restrained himself in the post-match press conference but said it shouldn't have been a try.

"I'd have to clear the rules but I'm pretty sure it was no try," Cartwright said.

"If it's not a no-try, then it should be a no-try.

"I'll have to clarify the rule but I'm pretty sure there was an instance where it happened a few years ago (Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne tipped the ball over Matt Bowen) and they changed the rule so you can't gain an advantage by tapping the ball forward."

The Titans have an even 4-4 record after the opening eight rounds of the competition.